Holdings signs at a sidewalk news conference, abuse victims and concerned Catholics will

--call on Catholic officials in both KS & MO to post names of accused priests on their websites, as dozens of US bishops have done recently, and

-- blast KC MO’s current bishop for letting his predecessor – who was convicted of failing to report suspected child abuse – back into the KC diocese recently for a church event.

A Nebraska man who was allegedly abused by one of Kansas City’s most prolific abusers,will also speak, using his name publicly for the first time ever.

WHEN

Monday, Dec. 10 at1:15 p.m.

WHERE

On the sidewalk outside the KC Catholic headquarters (“chancery office”),20 West 9th Street(atBaltimore)in downtownKansas City MO

WHO

Three-four concerned KC area Catholics along with two-three victims of clergy sexual abuse who are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

WHY

1) Over the past three months, dozens of US bishops have disclosed and posted names of accused priests on church websites, a move that SNAP calls “a simple, long-overdue step toward protecting kids and healing victims.” It wants the two KC area bishops(KC KS Archbishop Joseph Naumann and Kansas MO Bishop James Johnston)to “honor their pledges of transparency” and do this.

SNAP believes this “rubs salt into the already deep and still fresh wounds of many victims and Catholics” and “essentially minimizes Bishop Finn’s crime and deepens the church’s unhealthy culture of accepting or ignoring horrific harm caused by bishops’ misdeeds.” It wantsBishop Johnstonto stop this practice immediately.

3) Kevin Smith reports having been sexually assaulted as a child byMsgr. Thomas Reardon, who has been accused of molesting at least 24 boys in at least a dozen positions in the KC MO area. Smith has filed a lawsuit, but has never spoken publicly before about his experiences. The survivor is very upset about how Catholic officials continue to hide predators and endanger kids. As far as SNAP can tell, Kansas City was Msgr. Reardon's last known whereabouts.

Create an account

It is vital that those of us who are advocates to hold the Church completely liable for these crimes of omission and commission. I will continue to monitor the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, PA. and its present Bishop Mark Bartchack. It is now under federal investigation. As this develops, I will continue to report here.
Rich, MSW